Cressa cretica L
Scientific Classification
Kingdom : Plant
subkingdom : Tracheobionta
Division : Magnoliophyta
Subclass : Asteridae
Order : Solanales
Family : Convolvulaceae
56 genera and 1600 species
Distribution : In the arid-tropical zones including the Middle East , Tropical Africa , Afghanistan and Pakistan .
Habit : Stems much branched , hairy , villous , non-twining .
Leaves : Ovate to pale-lanceolate, pubescent, veins not visible except the midrib on the abaxial side .
Inflorescences : Usually axillary or terminal , simple or compound dichasial cymes . Bracts narrow , linear , lanceolate or subulate .
Fruit : Capsule ovoid , pilose at the apex .
Saudi Arabia : Widespread
Flower : In dense terminal spikes ; flowers in the upper leaf axils , sessile , lower sub-sessile ; pedicels less Hun 1 mm long .
Bracts : linear-lanceolate , 2.75 - 3.5 x0.5 - 0.75 mm , hairy-pubescent .
Sepals : Obovate to obovate-elliptic , hairy outside , 3.5 - 3.75 x 1.5 - 7.15 mm .
Corolla : With S acute spreading lobes , 4 - 45 mm long , glabrous .
Stamens : As long as or somewhat longer than corolla ; flaments unequal , 3.75 - 4 mm long .
Anthers oblong , obtuse ; pollen grains smooth , 0.5 - 0.75 mm long . Ovary ovoid , hairy on the upper half .
styles 2 , distinet or slightly connate at the base , 3.5 - 3.75 mm long , glabrous .
stigmas 2 , capitate . Capsules dehiscent , with brittle pericarp , 2 - 4 valved . Seeds shining , dark brown .